NEWS - NOVEMBER: WHAT IS FUTSAL? WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

The coaches spent Sunday 18th of November at Moulton College on the recently developed Introduction to Futsal Course run by the F.A. It was an excellent course and further enthused the coaches about the virtues of this relatively unknown (in the UK at least) sport.

Futsal is the official FIFA, UEFA and FA 5-a-side game where the rules are the same everywhere you play the game. It is basically indoor or hardcourt football with play looking like a game of basketball with quick changes from defense to attack. As the coaches will tell you, 5 minutes on the Futsal court and you are ready to be substituted.

The reason it is such and intense game is due to the fact that all restarts must occur within 4 seconds! The ball used in this game is heavier with a reduced bounce creating the sort of environment where direct play is not rewarded but skillful and clever play is the only way to go.

It is a great game in its own right but is also a hugely beneficial for the development of young players for 11-a-side football. In Brazil it is common for young players not to play 11-a-side until they are 13!! Their formative years are spent playing Futsal providing more touches with an incentive to use the ball well in order to get success.

A further benefit, particularly from an English perspective because of the physical nature of our football, is the 5 foul rule (like basketball). Once a team has commited 5 fouls each foul after that results in a penalty! wherever the foul takes place. This means there is a heavy slant towards skill and also skillful defending so tht uneccessary fouls are not conceded.

FDS are already taking a lead within our area in introducing young players to Futsal. All of our development centres use the Futsal balls in our skill development work and we have hosted 3 annual school Futsal tournaments since 2005 (the FA only introduced courses in 2006!) for both Y3 & 4 and also Y5 & 6. The Tour to France in December this year is a Futsal tournament which will be a great experience.

The coaches are already looking forward to the more comprehensive level 2 Futsal qualification in the new year and also in hosting our own Futsal tournament for professuional clubs.